Red Cross “Safety Town” classes for kids start in June

How do you teach a child about fire prevention, “stranger danger” and crossing the street safely? The American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter knows how – its hosting its annual children’s safety and preparedness one week sessions, “Safety Town,” starting in June at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center.

Your child entering kindergarten will learn about car and pedestrian safety on a tarp displaying a town complete with wooden buildings, streets, crosswalks, stop signs, and parking spaces. Each child has a turn as a pedestrian or a driver in a peddle car. A Police officer will teach all aspects of personal safety and fit each child with a bike helmet which they wear when in the peddle car that they get to take them home at the end of the week.

The Fire Department brings a truck onsite allowing your child to explore the truck and learn about fire safety. An Animal Control officer shows how to be safe around pets and other animals. Gems will take your child on a tour of an ambulance to learn about the lifesaving equipment and how to call 911 for an ambulance.

Your child will learn bus riding rules, by getting on and off a real school bus. All lessons are reinforced by games and coloring books and take home handouts explaining what was learned to be shared with parents.

Session 1 will be from June 2 – 6, and Session 2 from June 9 – 13. There are morning sessions from 9 – 11:30 a.m., and afternoon sessions from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. The Eastern Greenwich Civic Center is at 70 Harding Road in Old Greenwich. For more information call Mary Jones at 203-869-8444, ext.145 or email her at mary.jones2@redcross.org.